“Of course. I owe this day to you, my lady,” I replied as I hopped onto Lady.
“The forest has decided to trust you. I just did what it wanted,” she answered. “Have your mother eat the plant. But she must never smell the plant. Its smell can be addicting to the sick and it could be the cause of their death.”
“Is it possible for me to brew this plant?” I asked. “My mother needs an easier way to take medicinal herbs.”
She went silent for a few seconds before responding, “You may brew it but not too much. Its extract must remain as strong as it is as a plant.”
“I will be forever grateful for your help,” I repeated my thanks. “I would like to return someday and properly thank you for what you’ve done for me.”
“There’s no need for those. I did what I had to do.” She then turned around and knelt before me. I gave her a nod of acknowledgement as she stood up. I then rode back to the castle as quickly as I could.
♔♔♔
When I finally returned to the castle, I started running to the master bedroom. On my way there, Elizabeth stopped me from my tracks.
“Hello, brother,” she smiled as she walked up from behind me. “Where have you been? Why are you in such a rush?”
“Mother has given me the permission to look for the cure that the Medicine King has told her,” I informed her with a victorious smile on my face. I couldn’t stop smiling as I felt so triumphant.
“But Mother said Bethilda has been healing her with her own medicinal herbs in her tea,” Elizabeth said, confused. “My maids told me that she’s in Mother’s room right now.”
“I’ll go there right now,” I started walking once again, passing by her.
“Why?” she asked, making me turn around.
“I have to give this medicine to Mother,” I answered.
“Bethilda is already taking care of Mother. She wouldn’t even let me enter the room because she said that I will only stop her from resting,” she explained. “Why don’t we just let her do what she has to do?”
“Thank you for your explanation, Elizabeth but James left me the responsibility for Mother,” I said.” I will see you later.” I turned back around and proceeded to the master’s bedroom.
♔♔♔
When I arrived at the door, I held my hand up to knock but I heard faint talking. I know I shouldn’t make eavesdropping a habit but I want to know what kind of atmosphere I will be walking myself into.
“How are you feeling, dear sister?” I heard Behilda asked Mother with sincerity.
“I continue to feel worse as I continue to stay here in bed,” Mother coughed.
“I’m deeply worried for you, dear sister,” Bethilda said. “I told you that the Medicine Kind won’t be of any help. I don’t understand why you still continue catering to him.” So, it was Bethilda who told Mother to stop consulting and not believe what the Medicine King told her to do.
What was she trying to do? Does she really want to kill my mother?
“I only now realized that you’re quite correct about the Medicine King. Is there any news from my husband?” Mother asked.
“James is still on his voyage, sister. He said he will return as soon as everything is done with his trip,” Bethilda explained.
“And what about Robert? Has he returned?” Mother asked another.
“I haven’t seen him within the castle grounds. The last time I saw him was when he stormed out of my little tea party with your daughter,” she remarked, obviously disgusted by me. Even the brief mention of my name made her spine tingle. “Where has he gone?”
“He asked for permission to find some medicine for me and I allowed it,” Mother answered.
“Medicine?!” Bethilda raised her voice slightly. “The tea I make for you already has medicine. It will cleanse the soul and once everything is cleaned from the inside, all will be better. Am I correct?”
“Don’t be mistaken by my decision, Bethilda. I do feel better each time I drink your special tea. And I’m more than grateful for you, taking care of me,” Mother said. “But after a few conversations with Robert, I guess I do need a different kind of medicine.”
“I know he’s your son, Amelia. But I don’t trust his idea,” Bethilda protested.
“And do you think I trust the idea of simply giving my mother tea in order for her to recover?” I asked, barging into the room. The doors swung open and hit the walls behind it. A loud bang echoed throughout the room.
“Robert!” Bethilda exclaimed, shocked. “I didn’t know you were already here.”
I paid no mind to her and walked directly to Mother. “I have your medicine, Mother,” I smiled, sitting beside her. I kissed her forehead before showing the ledoras plant, still wrapped within the leaf.
“Is this real?” Mother looked at me with pride.
“Yes, Mother. It’s the ledoras plant,” I answered, carefully opening the leaf. “This is what the Medicine King told you to take. I asked him about it, and now I have found it for you.”
“How does it work?” she asked, eager.
“You can take it as it is or we can brew it. According to the guardian of this plant, it’s better to eat it directly,” I explained. “I planned to brew it but I didn’t want the strength of the herb to decrease. But there’s no need to worry, it’s soft enough to chew.”
Mother lent out her hand and I slowly helped her sit up. I put some pillows behind her to support her back.
“Sister, I don’t think this is a good idea,” Bethilda intervened. “Only the Medicine King and your son know about this plant. This plant might poison you even more,” she continued as she grew desperate for Mother not to do what is needed for her to heal.